🌱 Patch AM: Why top Microsoft MVPs keep choosing Grand Rapids for Beer City Code

Hello again Grand Rapids! We're bringing you the latest town highlights. Don't miss out, keep going! ☀️

In today's newsletter:

• Why top Microsoft MVPs keep choosing Grand Rapids for Beer City Code
• Former Grand Rapids news boss makes a surprising exit in Detroit
• Triumph's 50th anniversary tour opens its new U.S. leg in Grand Rapids

Also on today's calendar: Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer and 3 more events.

Today's riddle: What is the difference between a jeweler and a jailer? 🤔 (Answer below!)

Weather forecast:

• Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high of 82 and low of 56 degrees.
• Friday: Partly sunny and less humid, temps: high: 82, low: 60.
• Saturday: A t-storm around in the p.m., with a high of 83 and low of 67 degrees.

📰 News we're reading

1. Across the U.S. to Beer City Code: MVPs Build Community in Grand Rapids, Michigan (microsoft.com) — Beer City Code brings Microsoft MVPs and other technologists to Grand Rapids, highlighting the city as a growing tech hub. Speakers emphasize practical software architecture, real-world AI use, and community-building through hallway conversations and workshops, inviting local developers, product owners, and creatives to plug into a welcoming, high-quality conference scene.
   

2. Detroit news director exits after less than a year on the job (newscaststudio.com) — A TV news leader with recent ties to Grand Rapids media is on the move again. Brooks Blanton, who previously served as news director at WZZM 13 On Your Side in Grand Rapids, is stepping down from his role leading Fox 2's Detroit newsroom after less than a year, as the station launches a search for his replacement.
   

3. Triumph Announce Second Leg Of Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour (rttnews.com) — Canadian rock band Triumph is adding a second U.S. leg to their Rock & Roll Machine Reloaded Tour, kicking off the new dates in Grand Rapids on November 17. The 50th anniversary run includes 16 shows nationwide, with April Wine as special guest and a portion of ticket sales supporting the SoundsUnite charity.
   

4. Meta agrees to pay Michigan $171 million for role in teen social media addiction (fox17online.com) — Michigan's attorney general, speaking from Grand Rapids, has secured a $171 million settlement from Meta that will force Instagram and Facebook to add strict time limits, nighttime blocks, and stronger parental controls for young users. A Pine Rest pediatric behavioral health expert in Grand Rapids says the changes address real harms she sees in local teens tied to social media use.
   

📸 Around Grand Rapids

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🗓 Upcoming Events in Grand Rapids

Add your event to our calendar and newsletter!

Tuesday September 1
• Back to School Picnic
  Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  5:30 pm
• High School Study Skills Workshop (presented by FHN PTO) in Media C
  Northern High School Forest Hills , 3801 Leonard St NE, Grand Rap
  6:00 pm
Wednesday September 2
• MS Open House
  East Grand Rapids Middle School Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  6:30 pm
Saturday September 5
• Candlelight: The Best of Hans Zimmer →
  Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
  6:30 pm
• Candlelight: Tribute to British Rock Legends →
  Wealthy Theatre, 1130 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids
  8:45 pm
Tuesday September 8
• Planning Commission Meeting →
  East Grand Rapids Community Center Commission Chamber - 750 Lakeside Drive SE East Grand Rapids MI 49506
  5:30 pm

📣 Grand Rapids Shout Outs!

Want to say something great about someone in town? Click here to submit your Shout Out to Patch AM! It's free!

🗓 Events Nearby

Thursday August 27
• PTO New Parent Coffee; playground
  Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  8:15 am
• PTO General Mtg; playground
  Wealthy Elementary Grand Rapids, MI 49506
  8:30 am
• Thursday: Fit & Strong →
  Georgetown, MI Calendar, 7100 8th Ave, Jenison
  9:00 am
• Balance Assessments and Bagels →
  Georgetown, MI Calendar Jenison, MI 49429
  9:30 am
• Thursdays: Flex & Focus →
  Georgetown, MI Calendar, 7100 8th Ave, Jenison
  9:45 am
• Thursday: Flex & Stretch →
  Georgetown, MI Calendar, 7100 8th Ave, Jenison
  10:30 am

Have we missed something on our calendar? Add an event yourself! As always, before attending confirm event details to ensure accuracy.

Want to see your business here? Click here to connect with local customers.

💬 Chatter

What your neighbors are talking about on social media

• Just stopped into Georgie's Farm Market for the second time and got bananas, green grapes, two bags of organic frozen raspberries, red potatoes, salsa, strawberries, carrots, and a loaf of sourdough bread for $29.
  Georgie's is a not-for-profit local food market. It's also right next door to a food pantry. I got to take a quick tour of that, and they've got… (Nextdoor North Park/Creston)
• How about we make a thread sharing some positive news?
  I'll start 1. Going the farmers market and getting veggies and cheese local. In addition everyone there is so nice! 2. Many organizations have… (Nextdoor Thornapple River Dr SE)

• TIBCO Software, Inc. posted a job opening for Janitorial Associate Full Time in Grand Rapids. Apply here.
• Meijer, Inc. posted a job opening for Overnight Produce Clerk - Weekends Required in Grand Rapids. Apply here. You can search for other jobs near Grand Rapids here.

Ok Grand Rapids! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!

-- The Patch AM Team

P.S. The answer to today's riddle: A jeweler sells watches and a jailer watches cells. (Thank you Jean D. for sending it in!)
Got a good riddle for PatchAM? Submit it here!

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We use a combination of real people and machines to tell you what's happening around town. Learn more about Patch AM.

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